Electronic device case

ABSTRACT

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for a portable electronic device case including: a sheath portion capable of sheathing a portable electronic device, wherein the sheath portion includes at least one window that allows a user to interact with the portable electronic device; and a cord-winding portion capable of being integrated with the sheath portion, the cord-winding portion capable of receiving a cord portion of an accessory for the portable electronic device, wherein the cord-winding portion is capable of maintaining the cord portion in a substantially stable and a substantially tangle-free disposition, and wherein the user may continue interaction with the portable electronic device while the cord portion is stored in the cord-winding portion. Thus, cord storage encasement of the electronic device, and interaction with electronic devices are achieved in a convenient manner, which simplifies rather than complicates portable electronic device operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present application relate generally to an electronicdevice case. Particularly, certain embodiments relate to a portableelectronic device case capable of accommodating an electronic cord.

In recent years, portable electronic devices have proliferated in termsof both quantity and variety. There are numerous portable electronicdevices available to consumers, a few of which include cellular phones,handheld computers, personal digital assistants (“PDA”), digital audioplayers, digital MP3 players, digital cameras, digital video recorders,digital video players, global positioning satellite (“GPS”) devices,navigation devices, portable video players (“PVP”), handheld video gameconsoles, and the like. Of course, as data types (such as audio, video,and text) become integrated, portable electronic devices may includeaspects of various traditional electronic devices. For example, acellular phone may include aspects of digital audio players, digitalvideo players, and digital cameras, as well as aspects of a cellularphone.

Portable electronic devices may interface with accessories having cords.Accessories having cords for portable electronic devices are numerous,and include electronic-type accessories and non-electronic-typeaccessories. A few examples of electronic-type accessories includeheadphones, headsets, microphones, data transfer cables (e.g. universalserial bus, RS-232, or fire-wire), speakers, speaker cables,communication cables, power cables, synchronization cables, and/or thelike. Examples of non-electronic-type accessories may include neckstraps, wrist straps, necklaces, arm straps, and/or the like.Accessories having cords may either be required for normal operations,or may be optional. For example, many portable electronic devices mayinterface with headphones. On one hand, if the portable electronicdevice, such as a digital audio player, does not have a built-inspeaker, the headphones may be required for a user to listen to an audiosignal generated by the portable electronic device. On the other hand,if the portable electronic device, such as a cell phone, has built-inspeaker, the headphones may be an optional accessory.

When a user is not in immediate need of an accessory with a cord, it maybe useful for the user to store the accessory in an organized, andreadily available fashion. Similarly, when a user needs only a portionof an accessory with a cord, it may be useful for the user to have therest of the accessory disposed in an organized, readily-availablefashion. As an example, a user of a digital audio player may wish tostore headphones when the player is not in use, yet the user may wishfor the headphones to be readily available. Further, when using thedigital audio player, the user may wish to have only a portion of theheadphones freely available for use, and to have the remaining portionsof the headphones disposed in an organized and readily availablefashion. By limiting slack in a cord portion, the cord may be lesslikely to be snagged, which may lead to injury to the device, the user,or otherwise.

Cases for portable electronic devices may be desirable for a variety ofreasons. One advantage of a case may be that once the device is sheathedin the case, the device and the case may become integrated. Some casesfor portable electronic devices may provide one or more pouches forstoring cords. However, a pouch may tend to store cords in a relativelyunstable manner, because the cord may be able to substantially movewithin the pouch. Such movement may lead to entanglement. Additionally,pouches may be difficult to clean. Furthermore, pouches may not promotea user to store the cord in an organized manner. For example, a pouchmay encourage a user to stuff an accessory having a cord in anunorganized manner into the pouch, thereby increasing the risk ofentanglement and premature failure of the accessory.

There are winding devices which retract cords into a casing, such asTargus® retractable cables/cords, Zip-Linq™ retractable cables/cords,and ZipKORD™ retractable cables/cords. These devices, however, are notintegrated into either the case or the device. Thus these devicesrequire the user to manage an additional accessory—a problem which thecurrent invention seeks to remedy. These devices create additionalproblems in that they may be bulky, clumsy, and encourage entanglement.Furthermore, such devices may not be easily stored, because they must bedetached from the electronic device and stowed in an additional locationthat has not been provided. In the end, use of such devices maycomplicate, rather than simplify use of an electronic device.

Thus, there is a need for cord storage that is capable of beingintegrated with a portable electronic device. For example, there is aneed for cord storage that is directly integrated with a portableelectronic device. Further there is a need for cord storage that isintegrated with a case, which in turn is integrated with a portableelectronic device. Additionally, there is a need for cord storage thatis relatively stable, and promotes tangle-free storage and removal ofthe cord. Furthermore, there is a need for cord storage that is readilyaccessible to a user, and simplifies, rather than complicates, portableelectronic device operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for aportable electronic device case including: a sheath portion capable ofsheathing a portable electronic device, wherein the sheath portionincludes at least one window that allows a user to interact with theportable electronic device; and a cord-winding portion capable of beingintegrated with the sheath portion, the cord-winding portion capable ofreceiving a cord portion of an accessory for the portable electronicdevice, wherein the cord-winding portion is capable of maintaining thecord portion in a substantially stable and a substantially tangle-freedisposition, and wherein the user may continue interaction with theportable electronic device while the cord portion is stored in thecord-winding portion. In an embodiment, the user may readily retrievethe cord portion stored in the cord-winding portion. In an embodiment,the apparatus further includes at least one fastening portion capable offacilitating substantially stable and substantially tangle-freedisposition of the cord portion by receiving a portion of the accessory.In an embodiment, the fastening portion is integrated into thecord-winding portion. In an embodiment, the cord-winding portionincludes an axial portion. In an embodiment, the cord-winding portionfurther includes a guide portion. In an embodiment, the window includesan aperture. In an embodiment, the apparatus further includes an openingportion for accommodating insertion and removal of the portableelectronic device into the electronic device case. In an embodiment, theportable electronic device includes at least one of: a digital audioplayer; a digital video player; a cellular phone; and a personal digitalassistant. In an embodiment, the accessory includes headphones. In anembodiment, one of the at least one window allows a user to interactwith controls of the portable electronic device. In an embodiment, oneof the at least one window allows a user to access at least one of: adata port of the portable electronic device; an input port of theportable electronic device; and an output port of the portableelectronic device. In an embodiment, the cord-winding portion includes awinding mechanism. In an embodiment, the winding mechanism is lockable.In an embodiment, the winding mechanism includes an automatic retractionmechanism. In an embodiment, the automatic retraction mechanism islockable.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for aportable electronic device including: a cord-winding portion capable ofbeing integrated with a shell portion of the portable electronic device,the cord-winding portion capable of receiving a cord portion of anaccessory for the portable electronic device, wherein the cord-windingportion is capable of maintaining the cord portion in a substantiallystable and a substantially tangle-free disposition, and wherein the usermay continue interaction with the portable electronic device while thecord portion is stored in the cord-winding portion. In an embodiment,the user may readily retrieve the cord portion stored in thecord-winding portion. In an embodiment, the apparatus further includesat least one fastening portion capable of facilitating substantiallystable and substantially tangle-free disposition of the cord portion byrestricting a portion of the accessory. In an embodiment, the fasteningportion is integrated into the cord-winding portion. In an embodiment,the cord-winding portion includes an axial portion. In an embodiment,the cord-winding portion includes a guide portion. In an embodiment, theportable electronic device includes at least one of: a digital audioplayer; a digital video player; a cellular phone; and a personal digitalassistant. In an embodiment, the accessory includes headphones. In anembodiment, the cord-winding portion includes a winding mechanism. In anembodiment, the winding mechanism is lockable. In an embodiment, thewinding mechanism includes an automatic retraction mechanism. In anembodiment, the automatic retraction mechanism is lockable.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for aportable electronic device case including: a sheath portion capable ofsheathing a portable electronic device, an opening portion foraccommodating insertion and removal of the portable electronic deviceinto the electronic device case, a cord-winding portion capable of beingintegrated with the sheath portion, the cord-winding portion capable ofreceiving a cord portion of an accessory for the portable electronicdevice, wherein the cord-winding portion is capable of maintaining thecord portion in a substantially stable and a substantially tangle-freedisposition, and at least one fastening portion capable of facilitatingsubstantially stable and substantially tangle-free disposition of thecord portion by receiving a portion of the accessory. In an embodiment,the user may readily retrieve the cord portion stored in thecord-winding portion. In an embodiment, the at least one fasteningportion is included of at least one notched portion. In an embodiment,the cord-winding portion further includes a guide portion. In anembodiment, the fastening portion is integrated into the guide portion.In an embodiment, the cord-winding portion includes an axial portion. Inan embodiment, the sheath portion further includes at least one window.In an embodiment, the portable electronic device includes at least oneof: a digital audio player; a digital video player; a cellular phone;and a personal digital assistant. In an embodiment, the accessoryincludes headphones. In an embodiment, one of the at least one windowallows a user to access at least one of: a data port of the portableelectronic device; an input port of the portable electronic device; andan output port of the portable electronic device. In an embodiment, thecord-winding portion includes a winding mechanism. In an embodiment, thewinding mechanism is lockable. In an embodiment, the winding mechanismincludes an automatic retraction mechanism. In an embodiment, theautomatic retraction mechanism is lockable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front right perspective view of an electronic device caseaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front right perspective view of an electronic device caseaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows back left perspective view of an electronic device caseaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a left side elevation view of an electronic device caseaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of axial portions for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of axial portions for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of axial portions for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an arrangement of axial portions for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a guide portion configuration for an electronic device casein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a guide portion configuration for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a guide portion configuration for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a guide portion configuration for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a guide portion configuration for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a guide portion configuration for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a guide portion configuration for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows a guide portion configuration for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows a guide portion configuration for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows a guide portion configuration for an electronic devicecase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 shows a cord-winding portion configuration for an electronicdevice case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows a cord-winding portion configuration for an electronicdevice case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the present application, will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown inthe drawings. It should be understood, however, that the presentinvention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shownin the attached drawings. There are a variety of ornamental designswhich can achieve the function of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 show an electronic device case 100 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a front rightperspective view of an electronic device case 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a front rightperspective view of an electronic device case 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows back left perspectiveview of an electronic device case 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 4 shows a left side elevation view of anelectronic device case 100 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

An electronic device case 100 may include a sheath portion 102, at leastone window 120, an opening portion 108, a cord-winding portion, 104, anda fastening portion 106, or a mounting clip (not shown). Some of theseportions, such as the opening portion 108 and the fastening portion 106may be optional.

A sheath portion 102 may be formed from various materials includingfabrics, plastics, metals, and/or the like. The material(s) used mayeither be flexible or rigid, or some combination thereof. The sheathportion 102 may also be comprised of a combination of a variety ofmaterials. The material(s) used may either be synthetic, natural, orsome combination thereof. For example, a sheath portion 102 may beformed from leather. The sheath need not substantially envelope orenclose the entire device; there can be openings in the sheath portion.Furthermore, a sheath portion 102 may also include portions that promoteother aspects of the electronic device case 100. For example, a sheathportion may include a mating fastener capable of receiving an oppositesex fastener on the opening portion 108. In this manner, the openingportion 108 may be fastenable to the sheath portion 102.

A window 120 may be provided to enable a user to interact with aportable electronic device, for example. Through one or more windows120, a user may be able to receive information from and/or communicateinformation to a portable electronic device, and may be able tomanipulate controls on the device. A window 120 may also be provided toallow data port access, or cable access to a portable electronic device,for example. A window 120 may be provided to allow access to an inputport, such as a data port, a power cable, or a microphone port of thedevice. A window 120 may be provided to allow access to an output port,such as a headphone jack, for example. As a further example, a window120 may be provided to allow a user to access a power source of aportable electronic device, such as battery(s) or fuel cell(s), forexample. As various portable electronic devices have variousconfigurations and features, so too may a designer prefer a variety ofcorresponding arrangements of one or more windows 120.

A window 120 may include an aperture or opening, for example. A window120 may also include a material capable of passing at least some light.For example, a window 120 may include a transparent, translucent, orpartially opaque material. A window 120 may include a combination ofmaterials and/or apertures. For example, a window 120 may have atransparent material for covering a display of a portable electronicdevice, and the window 120 may also have apertures for providing directcontact access to controls of the device. A window 120 may be openableand closeable, for example. A window 120 may have a flap that ismoveable or fastenable to the sheath 102, for example.

An opening portion 108 may enable a user to insert and/or remove anelectronic device into the electronic device case 100, for example.While numerous configurations are conceivable for an opening portion108, one possible arrangement may be for the opening portion 108 toinclude at least one flap. The flap may be connectable on one end to thesheath 102. In an embodiment, the flap is the same material as thesheath 102, and is an extension of the sheath 102. The other end of theflap may have a fastener, such as a snap, hook and loop (e.g. VELCRO®),and/or the like. The fastenable end of the flap may be fastenable to thesheath 102. As an alternative arrangements, both ends of the flap may befastenable to the sheath 102. As another arrangement, the flap may beinsertable into a receiving portion on the sheath 102, such as a slot orloop.

A fastening portion 106 may include any of a variety of means capable ofreceiving a portion of an accessory for storage. Examples of fasteningportions 106 may include fasteners, such as clips, hook and loopfasteners (e.g. VELCRO®), magnets, adhesive, latches, snaps, and/or thelike. For example, a fastening portion 106 may be capable of receiving acord portion of an accessory. A fastening portion 106 may, as anotherexample, be capable of receiving an earpiece portion of a headphone. Afastening portion may be located on the sheath 102, or on thecord-winding portion 104, for example. A fastening portion 106 may beformed by plastic or metal, for example, in such a manner that thefastening portion 106 has a spring-like quality that facilitatesclipping. A fastening portion 106 may also include a notched portioncapable of receiving and substantially stably storing an accessory, suchas an accessory having a cord, for example.

A cord-winding portion 104 may include a guide portion 110 and an axialportion 112, as can be seen in FIG. 4. The axial portion 112 may beintegratable with the sheath portion 102, for example. The axial portion112 may be formed from the same material (e.g. plastic) as the sheathportion 102, or may be otherwise connected to the sheath portion 102.The axial portion 112 may also be removably attachable with the sheathportion 102, through fasteners, gums, glues, epoxies, and/or the like.The cord-winding portion 104 may be on the interior or exterior of acase 100 or shell or housing of the portable electronic device itself,for example. The cord-winding portion may be embedded within the case,or within the shell or housing of the portable electronic device itself,for example. As an illustrative example, a cord-winding portion 104 maybe substantially housed by the shell or housing of the portableelectronic device. As another illustrative example, a cord-windingportion 104 may be substantially sheathed by case 100.

The axial portion 112 may be solid or hollowed. The axial portion 112may be arranged for allowing a user to store an accessory. For example,the axial portion 112 may be arranged to receive an accessory having acord, such as headphones, or a windable strap. The cord portion of anaccessory may be rotatably windable around the axial portion 112. Theaxial portion 112 may include one or more grooves that may assist inreceiving an accessory, such as an accessory having a cord, for example.In an embodiment, an axial portion 112 may include a portable electronicdevice itself. For example, the device may have a groove on itsperimeter for receiving a cord portion of an accessory.

Once received for storage by the axial portion 112, an accessory, suchas an accessory having a cord, may remain in a substantially stable andsubstantially tangle-free disposition. Substantially stable andsubstantially tangle-free disposition may be facilitated by otherportions of the case 100, such as a fastening portion 106 and a guideportion 110. A user may, with relative ease, retrieve either the entireaccessory or only a portion thereof by removing it from the axialportion 112. For example, a user may desire to have a particular amountof headphone cord available, and the user may correspondingly unwind theneeded portion of headphone cord from the axial portion 112. To regulateslack, the user may wish to attach a portion of the cord to a fasteningportion 106.

The axial portion 112 may have a consistent dimension along a radialdirection, or may be tapered, for example. An axial portion 112 that istapered may assist in receipt of an accessory, such as an accessoryhaving a cord, for example. An axial portion 112 may be generallyrounded, and/or may have one or more edges, such as a rectangular shapeor any other type of polygon (e.g. octagonal shape), for example.Additionally, an axial portion 112 may be substantially straight in anaxial direction, or an axial portion 112 in an axial direction may becurved, bent, zigzagged, looped, and/or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 5-8, there may be a variety of arrangements for one ormore axial portions 112. For example, there may be two, three, or fouraxial portions 112, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. Furthermore, axial portions112 may be arrangeable with respect to the sheath 102, and other axialportions 112. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, axial portions 112 may bearranged on a lateral portion of the sheath 102. As described above, acord portion of an accessory may be rotatably, or otherwise windablearound one or more of the axial portions 112. For example, a cordportion of an accessory may be wound into a figure eight pattern aroundtwo axial portions 112.

As shown in FIGS. 19-20, an axial portion 112 may be rotatable. Forexample, the entire axial portion 112 may be rotatable with respect tothe case 100. Also, the axial portion 112 may be rotatable with respectto itself—i.e. a portion may be rotatable, and a portion may be static.The axial portion may be rotatable to facilitate removal of anaccessory, as discussed in greater detail below. The rotation motion ofthe axial portion 112 may operate in conjunction with a spring. In thismanner, an axial portion 112 may have an automatic winding and/orunwinding aspect, as facilitated by a spring.

Turning back to FIGS. 1-4, at least one guide portion 110 may optionallybe attachable, connectable, and/or fastenable to the axial portion(s)112. A guide portion 110 may facilitate substantially stable andsubstantially tangle-free storage of an accessory, such as an accessoryhaving a cord, for example. The guide portion 110 may promote a user towind a cord portion of an accessory around an axial portion 112 in aconsistent manner. For example, the space between the guide portion 110and the sheath 102 may be sufficiently narrow such that only one cordwidth may fit between the guide portion 110 and the sheath 102 at atime. This provides a desired sleek design and may promote substantiallytangle-free storage. The guide portion 110 may also prevent a storedaccessory from unintentionally slipping off the axial portion 112 alongan axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 7-18, a variety of guide portion 110 shapes andconfigurations are possible. Examples of cases with a singularshield-type guide portion 110 are shown in FIGS. 3, and 9-18. Forexample, the guide portion 110 may be rounded (FIG. 3), triangular(FIGS. 9-10), rectangular (FIGS. 11-12), octagonal (FIGS. 13-14),hexagonal (FIGS. 15-16), and/or the like. FIGS. 17-18 show a guideportion 110 incorporating fastening portion(s) 106 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. While all of these shield-typeexamples achieve a similar overall visual impression, there are numerousother possible designs.

As shown in FIG. 17, one or more fastening portions 106 may beintegrally formed or otherwise connected or fastened with the guideportion 110. As shown in FIG. 17, the fastening portions 106 may have anarrow notch that allows a portion of an accessory, such as a cordportion, to pass through upon specific application of force. Forexample, a cord portion of an accessory may be relatively compressiblealong a radial dimension, and when pushed, may fit through the notchedportion. Once past the narrowest part of the notched portion, the cordmay expand such that it may not readily pass again through the notchedportion without the specific application of force, for example. Anotched portion may also be designed such that it receives other partsof the accessory, such as earpieces.

Turning to FIGS. 19-20, a guide portion 110 may also be rotatable withrespect to the sheath 102. For example, a guide portion 110 may berotatable with respect to a static axial portion 112. As anotherexample, a portion of the axial portion 112 may be rotatable (eitherwith respect to the sheath 102 or with respect to itself), causing theattached guide portion 110 to be rotatable. As another example, aportion of the guide portion 110 may be rotatable with respect to theother portion of the guide portion 110. As seen in FIG. 19, when theguide portions 110 are in a particular position, an accessory having acord may be storable in a substantially stable and tangle-freedisposition. Turning to FIG. 20, the guide portions 110 may be rotatablein either a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion to facilitate rapidretrieval and storage of an accessory having a cord.

A cord-winding portion 104 may include a winding mechanism. A windingmechanism may be a manually driven mechanism, or may be an automaticmechanism. For example, a winding mechanism may be a spring-loadeddevice, similar to a tape measure. A winding mechanism may also be amanually driven mechanism, such as, for example, a spool having a meansfor driving the rotation of the spool—e.g. a lever or indentation wheel.The winding mechanism may also have a separate casing for receiving acord portion. Furthermore, the winding mechanism may be lockable so asnot to permit unwinding of the cord.

A cord-winding portion 104 may also be integratable directly with ashell or housing of a portable electronic device in a similar manner asshown in FIGS. 1-20, and as discussed above. In other words, thecord-winding portion 104 may be provided as a portion of and/orintegrated into the portable electronic device, thereby reducing theneed for a case. Here the case is the shell or housing that encases theinterior component of the electronic device. For example, a cord-windingportion 104 may be attachable directly to the shell of a portableelectronic device. Furthermore, a cord-winding portion 104 may berotatable with respect to the attached shell of the portable electronicdevice. Aside from integrating a cord-winding portion 104 with the shellof a portable electronic device (rather than with sheath 102), all otheraspects of cord-winding portion 104 may be similar as discussed in thisapplication. When the cord-winding portion 104 is part of the shell orhousing of the portable electronic device itself, said device can medesigned such that input and output ports are positioned within, at, ornear the cord-winding portion.

Case 100 may also include a mounting clip, such as a belt clip, a pantsclip, stand clip, and/or the like. A mounting clip may be used formounting the case 100 and/or a portable electronic device integratedwith the case 100 to external structure, such as clothing of a human,for example. The mounting clip may also be integratable into the shellor housing of a portable electronic device. A mounting clip may be aone-piece device, or may include one or more moving parts connectabletogether. A mounting clip may include a spring (either an external part,or due a material chosen, such as plastic having a memory and sufficientelasticity).

The case 100 may be adaptable for nesting, docking, and/or the like. Forexample, an opening portion 108 may be configured to allow dockingthrough a lower portion of the case to a docking station. For example,case 100 may be adapted by allowing mounting structure and/communications structure of a portable electronic device to mate withcomplementary structure of a docking station. As another example case100 may be adaptable for nesting within external structure, such asmounting hardware for use, for example, in an automobile. Nesting,docking, and/or the like may enable external powering and electroniccommunications with the portable electronic device, as well asrestriction of movement and/or stability of the portable electronicdevice.

The case 100 may also include a material with increased coefficient offriction so as to prevent slipping. For example, a rubber-like materialmay be included in various locations on a case 100 to encouragestability of the case 100 and integrated portable electronic device whenthe case 100 is placed on an external surface, such as the dashboard ofan automobile, for example.

The case 100 may also include a pouch for storage. Accessories of aportable electronic device may be stored and/or retrieved from a pouch,for example. As an illustrative example, a radio transmitter accessorymay be stored and/or retrieved from a pouch.

The following is an illustrative example of how case 100 may operate. Auser listens to a portable digital audio player (e.g. IPOD®) that issheathed by case 100. The user increases the volume on the portabledigital audio player through a window 120. The user listens to the musicthrough headphones having a cord. After a song is finished, the userdecides to stop listening, and to store the headphones. The useraccesses the rear panel of the sheath 102, and finds the cord-windingportion 104. The user winds the cord around the axial portion 112 of thecord-winding portion 104. The guide portion assists in retaining thecord in a stable and tangle-free disposition, and from coming off of theaxial portion 112. The user then inserts the earpieces of the headphonesinto fastening portions 106. In this manner, the cord of the headphonesis stored in a substantially stable and substantially tangle-freedisposition. At the same time, the user may still interact with thedigital audio player through the front of the device. When the user isready to listen to music through the headphones again, the user removesthe earpieces from the fastening portions 106, and uncoils the cord fromthe axial portion 112.

Thus, embodiments of the present application provide cord storage thatis capable of being integrated with a portable electronic device.Additionally, embodiments of the present application provide cordstorage that is relatively stable, and promotes tangle-free storage andremoval of the cord. Moreover, embodiments of the present applicationprovide cord storage that is readily accessible to a user, andsimplifies, rather than complicates, portable electronic deviceoperation.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for a portable electronic device case comprising: asheath portion capable of sheathing a portable electronic device,wherein said sheath portion comprises at least one window that allows auser to interact with said portable electronic device; and acord-winding portion capable of being integrated with said sheathportion, said cord-winding portion capable of receiving a cord portionof an accessory for said portable electronic device, wherein saidcord-winding portion is capable of maintaining said cord portion in asubstantially stable and a substantially tangle-free disposition, andwherein said user may continue interaction with said portable electronicdevice while said cord portion is stored in said cord-winding portion.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said user may readily retrieve saidcord portion stored in said cord-winding portion.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further including at least one fastening portion capable offacilitating substantially stable and substantially tangle-freedisposition of said cord portion by receiving a portion of saidaccessory.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said fastening portionis integrated into said cord-winding portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, wherein said cord-winding portion comprises an axial portion.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein said cord-winding portion furthercomprises a guide portion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidwindow comprises an aperture.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising an opening portion for accommodating insertion and removal ofsaid portable electronic device into said electronic device case.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said portable electronic device comprisesat least one of: a digital audio player; a digital video player; acellular phone; and a personal digital assistant.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said accessory comprises headphones.
 11. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein one of said at least one window allows a user tointeract with controls of said portable electronic device.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said at least one window allows auser to access at least one of: a data port of said portable electronicdevice; an input port of said portable electronic device; and an outputport of said portable electronic device.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said cord-winding portion comprises a winding mechanism.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein said winding mechanism is lockable. 15.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said winding mechanism comprises anautomatic retraction mechanism.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, whereinsaid automatic retraction mechanism is lockable.
 17. An apparatus for aportable electronic device comprising: a cord-winding portion capable ofbeing integrated with a shell portion of said portable electronicdevice, said cord-winding portion capable of receiving a cord portion ofan accessory for said portable electronic device, wherein saidcord-winding portion is capable of maintaining said cord portion in asubstantially stable and a substantially tangle-free disposition, andwherein said user may continue interaction with said portable electronicdevice while said cord portion is stored in said cord-winding portion.18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said user may readily retrievesaid cord portion stored in said cord-winding portion.
 19. The apparatusof claim 17 further including at least one fastening portion capable offacilitating substantially stable and substantially tangle-freedisposition of said cord portion by restricting a portion of saidaccessory.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said fastening portionis integrated into said cord-winding portion.
 21. The apparatus of claim17, wherein said cord-winding portion comprises an axial portion. 22.The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said cord-winding portion comprises aguide portion.
 23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said portableelectronic device comprises at least one of: a digital audio player; adigital video player; a cellular phone; and a personal digitalassistant.
 24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said accessorycomprises headphones.
 25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein saidcord-winding portion comprises a winding mechanism.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 25, wherein said winding mechanism is lockable.
 27. The apparatusof claim 25, wherein said winding mechanism comprises an automaticretraction mechanism.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein saidautomatic retraction mechanism is lockable.
 29. An apparatus for aportable electronic device case comprising: a sheath portion capable ofsheathing a portable electronic device, an opening portion foraccommodating insertion and removal of said portable electronic deviceinto said electronic device case, a cord-winding portion capable ofbeing integrated with said sheath portion, said cord-winding portioncapable of receiving a cord portion of an accessory for said portableelectronic device, wherein said cord-winding portion is capable ofmaintaining said cord portion in a substantially stable and asubstantially tangle-free disposition, and at least one fasteningportion capable of facilitating substantially stable and substantiallytangle-free disposition of said cord portion by receiving a portion ofsaid accessory.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said user mayreadily retrieve said cord portion stored in said cord-winding portion.31. The apparatus of claim 29 where said at least one fastening portionis comprised of at least one notched portion.
 32. The apparatus of claim29, wherein said cord-winding portion further comprises a guide portion.33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said fastening portion isintegrated into said guide portion.
 34. The apparatus of claim 29,wherein said cord-winding portion comprises an axial portion.
 35. Theapparatus of claim 34, wherein said cord-winding portion furthercomprises a guide portion.
 36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein saidsheath portion further comprises at least one window.
 37. The apparatusof claim 29, wherein said portable electronic device comprises at leastone of: a digital audio player; a digital video player; a cellularphone; and a personal digital assistant.
 38. The apparatus of claim 29,wherein said accessory comprises headphones.
 39. The apparatus of claim36, wherein one of said at least one window allows a user to access atleast one of: a data port of said portable electronic device; an inputport of said portable electronic device; and an output port of saidportable electronic device.
 40. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein saidcord-winding portion comprises a winding mechanism.
 41. The apparatus ofclaim 40, wherein said winding mechanism is lockable.
 42. The apparatusof claim 40 wherein said winding mechanism comprises an automaticretraction mechanism.
 43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein saidautomatic retraction mechanism is lockable.